Attachment_1_-_Thermal_SSA_SOO.pdf

BAA-10-RD-01

CALL 0012

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

THERMAL SSA (TSSA)

1.0 BACKGROUND

Space continues to be a vital domain for the global economy. This domain will become further congested and be contested by ever increasing counter-space capabilities. For effective Threat/Warning and Assessment (TW/A) for battle management and command and control of space forces, the United States will require a diverse array of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) techniques.

AFRL/RDS requires innovative capabilities in SSA that exploit the unique space object information obtainable from passive, radiometrically-calibrated, multi-spectral EO sensing.

There is a desire to advance the state of the art in thermal IR sensing for SSA discovery, both by itself (e.g., objects in earth shadow) and in conjunction with reflected solar bands.

Reaping the full benefits of Thermal and Multi-spectral SSA requires novel application of existing techniques and advancing the state of the art to develop new techniques.

Enhancement of existing techniques includes thermal modeling of EO satellite signatures, calibration techniques, and radiometric methods to advance the state of the art in thermal SSA. It is anticipated that developing these capabilities will require theoretical and/or experimental research, technology development, experimental measurements and use, system testing, and validation. These developed applications should be diverse and enable improved capability day, night and during terminator. Finally, data products conveying the space object information content of thermal/multi-spectral data must be developed such that they can be readily disseminated to, and readily understood by, space analysts who are not necessarily EO experts. Demonstrating and promoting these capabilities to the operational space control community is also required. Additionally the government requires demonstrations to validate results of research and development for AFRL and other Government agencies in SSA related test programs. Extensive experience in ground based EO infrared sensing is critical in execution of this program.

2.0 REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Thermal & Multi-spectral SSA Research. The government requires investigations focused toward assessing, and expanding where possible, the SSA utility of sensing in the Thermal infrared (IR) alone, as well as in sensing simultaneously in discrete spectral bands spanning the entire EO spectrum (i.e., 0.4-14 µm). The utility of hyperspectral imaging may also be considered, especially if such a sensor is ever considered for addition to the existing AFRL/RDS sensor suite. This research may include, but is not limited to, analyses of existing AFRL/RDS data sets to determine applicability, collections of new data sets, discussions with relevant organizations outside AFRL/RDS and collaborative efforts with other SSA researchers (both government and contractors). It is anticipated that the results of the research will be documented in one or more technical memos each year.

BAA-10-RD-01 CALL 0012: Attachment 1

2.2 EO/IR Signature Modeling Improvements. The government requires review of existing computer codes used to model/predict satellite signatures to identify modeling shortfalls that impede the ability to accurately predict signatures across the EO/IR spectrum (i.e., 0.4-14 µm), and development of improvements to mitigate or eliminate these shortfalls.

Research and model improvements of relevant aspects of signature phenomenology is required.

2.3 Develop and Enhance LWIR Sensor. Conduct research and analysis towards the development of innovative enhancements and efficiencies within the processes of government R&D efforts with the LWIR Imager. Provide research and development enhancements in the areas of RDST imager software and software modules, including data research and collection methods, techniques and capabilities.

2.4 Sensor Characterization & Calibration. Develop and implement radiometric calibration methodologies for specified EO sensors to enable the routine collection and dissemination of high-accuracy radiometric measurements. This includes methods for routinely estimating and reporting total radiometric uncertainty.

2.5 Processing. The government requires research and development into high turbulence imaging, low light level detection, anomaly detection algorithms, uncorrelated track resolution, data reduction, advanced data basing technologies, data fusion and other advanced sensor algorithms. Development of prototype autonomous or semi-automated tools may be required in some situations. High performance computing software expertise is required to reduce processing times and allow for large data analyses of products from these newly discovered technologies.

2.6 Exploitation. The government requires research and development for satellite characterization including orbit information and change detection from spatially resolved and unresolved data at diverse wavelengths and under different lighting situations. High fidelity modeling and simulation capabilities will be required in some cases. Near real time as well as post-processing techniques are of interest.

2.7 Dissemination. The government requires research and development into novel techniques for disseminating data/information from SSA assets to operational command and control and/or intelligence organizations. Software development in the support of AMOS customers and advanced data basing technologies may be required. The government also requires research and development into new methods of disseminating data and integrated tasking information among SSA sensors.

2.8 Test Program Support. The government requires test programs as requested for EO SSA technology research, development, and demonstration. This includes but is not restricted to CONOPS development, mission execution for observations, requirements planning and execution strategies for new projects, and assessment of capabilities and performance relative to goals and objectives.

3.0 Additional Notes

3.1 Personnel Considerations. Adequate documentation in the form of technical status reports will be required at least quarterly. TS/SCI cleared personnel are required. The government anticipates that regular travel (15% - 25%) to both the Maui Research Technology Park in Maui, HI and the Starfire Optical Range (SOR) thermal imager on Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB) will be required.

3.2. Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) Considerations. The Contractor shall identify and propose mitigation for any organizational conflict of interest associated with this effort, at both the prime and subcontractor level (if applicable). The contractor shall identify an appropriate management approach and shall be required to submit corrective management plans as necessary.